Experienced Houston Probate And Estate Administration Attorneys
At Ryerson & Associates, P.C. Attorneys and Counselors, our dedicated legal team is based in Houston, but provides comprehensive legal services to clients worldwide who are looking to immigrate to the United States. Our probate and estate administration lawyers are committed to helping our international clients make the transition to life in a new country as seamless as possible with estate planning and related tax services.
With over 50 years of experience across multiple intersecting areas of the law, we also help clients in Texas and across the country navigate the complexities of estate administration, probate and other related legal needs.
Estate Administration In Texas
Estate administration involves managing and settling a deceased person’s estate according to their will or, if there is no will, according to Texas law. An estate administration lawyer has several responsibilities. Our estate administration attorneys can help you:
- Identify and gather the estate’s assets
- Pay any debts and taxes
- Distribute the remaining assets to the rightful beneficiaries
The administration of an estate can be complicated and intricate, especially when dealing with international assets or beneficiaries. Our goal is to help you make sure that everything involved in the administration of the estate is handled smoothly and in accordance with the relevant laws.
What Is The Probate Process In Texas?
The probate process is the legal proceeding that oversees the distribution of a person’s estate after they die. During the probate process, a person’s will is validated and submitted to the court so that the probate court can oversee the distribution of the person’s estate. In the event the person died without a will, the court will direct the distribution of assets according to Texas intestate laws for inheritance.
In Texas, the estate administration process begins by filing the will with the probate court. If the will is deemed valid, the court appoints an executor to manage the estate. This includes notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and distributing assets to beneficiaries. Texas offers a streamlined probate process called “independent administration,” which can simplify matters and reduce court supervision. However, navigating probate can still be complex, especially for those unfamiliar with Texas laws.
An experienced estate administration and probate lawyer can provide needed legal guidance and advice to help the probate process go smoothly. A probate attorney can also represent you in the event of probate litigation if a beneficiary challenges the decedent’s will or otherwise disputes the estate administration process.
Is There Any Way To Avoid Probate In Texas?
Sometimes, it is possible to avoid probate in Texas. One effective strategy is to establish a living trust, where assets are transferred to the trust during your lifetime and then passed directly to beneficiaries upon your death. Our experienced wills and trusts lawyers can advise you if a living trust makes sense for your estate plan with your asset and wealth portfolio.
Other options include designating beneficiaries on retirement accounts and insurance policies or holding property jointly with rights of survivorship. An experienced estate planning attorney can help you craft an estate plan that minimizes the need for probate. Minimizing the need for probate will help ensure a smoother and more efficient transition for your heirs and reduce potential legal costs and delays.
Lastly, an estate can also avoid probate if the total value of the estate is less than $75,000. In the event an estate is less than $75,000, you can file a small estate affidavit with the court to transfer the assets of the estate without having to go through probate.
Contact A Texas Probate Lawyer
Our probate and estate administration lawyers are available for initial consultation appointments. If you have questions about an estate’s administration or the Texas probate process, a probate lawyer at Ryerson & Associates, P.C. Attorneys and Counselors, can answer your questions about the Harris County probate process and navigating probate in Texas.
To schedule an appointment, you can call us at 888-745-4664 or reach out through our contact form. We have the experience to guide you through the complexities of an estate’s administration and help protect your legacy for future generations.